"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: …"1 Corinthians 13:4-8 KJV
These verses are a lovely description of true love, agape love which comes through dwelling in the Holy Spirit. It can't be faked and if you want it, you must abide in Him.
What does this agape love look like? It is patient, even when your children are all crying and the noise is overwhelming. It suffers long through sleepless nights and soiled sheets.
It helps us be kind when we are tired and frustrated. It isn't jealous of mothers who get to sleep all night or who have housecleaners (guilty of jealousy on this one!).
"Love doesn't boast". It doesn't have a bumper sticker that says, "My homeschooler is smarter than your honor student" (Moms Night Out funniness).
"Love does not behave unseemly"(does running to my room and slamming the door fit in that category? Guilty again).
"Love doesn't seek it's own, isn't easily provoked, thinks no evil." I think that means that we believe the best about people and are not drawn into arguments.
"Love doesn't rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth."
When something bad is happening, even to people we don't like, the right response is sorrow and when people discover truth, we get excited for them.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." When everything in our life is difficult or seems to be going wrong, we cling to the truth that God loves us and has good plans for us. We keep hoping in His word, knowing that "He who endures to the end will be saved".
The love of God never fails, and I pray that you would be so full of His love that you would be equipped to love your family with that same enduring love.
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This is the most worthwhile thing I've read all month. Thanks for the reminder to refocus.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet Jen! Miss you dear!
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